Powers Catholic defeated Dewitt 9-2 to win its third straight regional championship on Saturday, and then knocked off Richmond 10-3 in the Quarterfinals to clinch a spot in the state semifinals vs. Trenton on Friday, June 14th. Game time is 2:30pm at MSU’s McLane Stadium.
      Against Dewitt, after defensive mistakes by the Chargers, the Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 5th. Powers roared back with a five-run fifth and three-run sixth to win going away. The uprising supported Grant Garman’s 12-strikeout complete game. Luke Dupuis delivered a key two-RBI hit in the fifth, Nate Gebhardt contributed a pair of hits driving in four, and Isaac Sturgess went 3 for 3 and scored three runs.
     In the quarterfinal matchup, the Chargers jumped to a 5-0 lead powered by a second-inning Isaac Sturgess grand slam. Isaac finished with 5 RBI’s and hit for the cycle during Saturday’s doubleheader. Fischer Hendershot overpowered the Blue Devils with a five-inning 9-strikeout performance (zero earned runs) to get the win. Gavin Darling added two hits and two RBI’s; Eli Sturgess chipped in a pair of safeties as part of Powers’ 13-hit attack.
     Every player has contributed to earning a school record 35th and a return to the Final Four. Thanks to dedicated players, supportive parents, families, and fans. And it was great to see alumni from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. Fantastic!
      “Rise up, you mighty Chargers!” Onward! One pitch a time!